Ty Simpkins Lands Lead In ‘Jurassic World’

EXCLUSIVE: We got another lead casting in Jurassic World, the Colin Trevorrow-directed sequel that will be shot in 3D and which Universal will release in June 12, 2015. I keep hearing that New Girl and Drinking Buddies star Jake Johnson is in the mix, but the studio won’t confirm him. I don’t think they confirmed Bryce Dallas Howard, who has also been in talks for a role. I’m hearing that 12-year old Ty Simpkins, fresh from Iron Man 3, has booked a lead in Jurassic World.

Despite the fact I probably have food in the freezer older than this young actor, Simpkins has worked before with producer Steven Spielberg, who is producing with Frank Marshall and Pat Crowley. Simpkins made his feature debut in the Spielberg-directed War Of The Worlds, opposite Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning. Last year, Simpkins starred in the genre smash Insidious, and reprises in the sequel. His other credits include Revolutionary Road, Pride And Glory, and the Kate Winslet-starrer Little Children. This should be a breakout opportunity–the first three films grossed more than $1.9 billion worldwide–in a film that was written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver and is being directed by Trevorrow. Trevorrow, who wrote the most recent draft with Derek Connolly, got the job off the acclaimed indie Safety Not Guaranteed. He’s repped by ICM Partners.